NHS car 'used for booze cruise'

Two ambulance service managers used a health trust car to go on a "booze cruise" to France, a disciplinary panel heard today.

Richard Lane and Paul Leaman had the Essex Ambulance Service crests removed from the vehicle and the back seats taken out to fit in more alcohol, it was claimed.

The trust then had to foot the bill for the alterations, the Health Professions Council was told. Ricky Lord, for the Council, said: "They were engaged in what appeared to be a vacation across to France to bring back quantities of alcohol using a trust vehicle."

Trust employee Paul Holmes noticed the bill and blew the whistle.

Transport manager Mr Holmes told the hearing he took Essex Ambulance Service to an employment tribunal over his treatment at the hands of Mr Leaman, now seconded to West Midlands Ambulance Service, and Mr Lane, who no longer works for the trust.

The hearing continues.